**Chapter 2: Moonlit Serenade**

The taxi dropped Raeily off in front of a quaint, dimly-lit café, its sign creaking gently in the breeze. The establishment, known as "Midnight Whispers," was a favorite haunt of Riku's, and Raeily had grown to love its cozy atmosphere. As she pushed open the door, a soft chime above it rang out, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her. The café was quiet, with only a handful of patrons scattered about, their faces lit up by the soft glow of laptop screens or the occasional phone notification. Raeily's eyes scanned the room, searching for Riku's familiar figure. She spotted him sitting in the corner, nursing a cup of coffee, his eyes fixed on her as she approached. A warm smile spread across his face, and Raeily's heart skipped a beat as she made her way over to him. "Hey," Riku said, standing up to greet her. He pulled her into a gentle hug, and Raeily felt her face press into his chest. She breathed in the scent of his cologne, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity. As they sat down, Riku reached out and took Raeily's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "I have to say, you looked stunning tonight," he said, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "The Moon Rose color really brought out your features." Raeily blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Thanks, I was thinking about you the whole time I was on stage," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Riku's smile grew wider. "I was thinking about you too," he said, his voice low and husky. "I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be up there with you, performing in front of all those people." As they chatted, Raeily couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with Riku. They talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing easily as they laughed and joked together. The café's patrons began to dwindle, and the staff started cleaning up, but Raeily and Riku were lost in their own little world. As the night wore on, Riku suggested they take a walk around the block. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hum of traffic. Raeily wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. As they strolled, Riku reached out and took Raeily's hand again, his fingers tracing the lines of her palm. "I have something for you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Raeily's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him, her eyes searching for answers. "What is it?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Riku smiled, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Just a little something I wanted to give you," he said, pulling out a small box from his pocket. Raeily's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the box, her heart racing with anticipation. She had a feeling that this was going to be a night she would never forget.